A price range would be needed, for starters.
Also, if you take a quick look at the "New Riders" forum:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/forumdisplay.php?f=59 you'll find many recent threads jam packed with useful information concerning that very question..."what should I be looking for in a good road bike?"....etc.
Keep in mind that the lower the price limit, the harder it becomes to suggest 'a good road bike' and the harder it is to define what 'good' is.